A severe flood in 1987 forced them out, never to return. They were the last to live there in 363 years. But the museum lives on and is open to the public. Here's the story.
Pam and Terry were the last to live at the Hall in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent. They stayed there from 1983 to 1987. Pam was the 'live-in curator' of the museum but her residency was prematurely cut short by the devastation.
On 23rd August 1987, ten hours of non-stop torrential rain caused a disastrous flood which swamped the Hall. The property became uninhabitable and they were forced to leave.
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| The flood of August 1987 |
They were the last people to live there since it was built in 1624. It had been occupied continuously, in various forms, for 363 years.
Here are their personal recollections and photos of their time living in the oldest building in Stoke-on-Trent.